Staying safe this summer

As the days get longer and warmer, it's the perfect time to enjoy the outdoors and relax!

Here are some handy tips to help you make the most of your summer, while keeping you and your home safe.

BBQs and fire safety

To keep things safe and enjoyable:

  • Always place your BBQ on a flat, stable surface away from fences, sheds and overhanging branches.
  • Never leave a lit BBQ unattended and keep children and animals far away.
  • Make sure that coals are completely cooled before disposing of them. Never put hot coals into your bin.
  • If you're using a gas BBQ, check the hose and connections for leaks before lighting.

If you’re going away

Looking forward to a holiday or weekend trip this summer? Keep your home secure while you're away by:

  • Letting a trusted family member or neighbour know when you’ll be away so they can keep an eye on your home for you.
  • Double-checking all doors and windows are closed and locked before leaving.
  • Considering pausing mail through Royal Mail's Keepsafe service, or having someone collect your deliveries.
  • Setting lights on timers so it looks like someone’s home.
  • Get home contents insurance. The My Home Contents Insurance Scheme offers cover for loss or damage to contents of your home, sheds, garages and outbuildings caused by theft or attempted theft. The scheme also covers loss or damage up to £200 for garages owned or rented away from the home, protection for plants, trees, and shrubs and for contents in communal areas. You can find out more about contents insurance, here.

Getting on with your neighbours

With all of us spending more time outside in the sun, opening our windows to let the fresh air in and enjoying the longer evenings, you might hear more noise from your neighbours.

While it's perfectly normal for neighbours to make some noise and enjoy themselves in their home and garden - this alone doesn't count as anti-social behaviour - if you're experiencing ongoing, disruptive noise that affects your daily life, here are some steps you can take:

  • Keep a record of disturbances, including dates and times.
  • Openly communicate - often, neighbours aren't aware they're being loud. A friendly chat can go a long way.

We can all help to make our communities peaceful and nice places to live.

Don’t forget to…

  • Keep music and gatherings at a considerate volume, especially when it’s late.
  • Keep shared areas like gardens or hallways clean and tidy. To help to keep you and your neighbours safe, be mindful of where you store bikes, scooters and prams to make sure that if people need to get out in an emergency, they can.
  • Make sure pets are well-behaved and always clean up after them.
  • Check our guidelines on making changes to your home, such as installing fences or sheds, by visiting our Permissions Page.

Check out our anti-social behaviour (ASB) guide for more tips and advice on what we do, and don’t, consider to be ASB, how we can support you if you’re dealing with noisy neighbours and how you can be a great neighbour.

Wishing you a safe and sunny summer!